Wednesday, December 12, 2012

General Motors plans integrating Apple's Siri in some cars

General Motors has planned to integrate Apple's voice-recognition software Siri into some of its cars next year.

The move will allow iPhone users to perform hands-free tasks.

According to the Herald Sun, GM announced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show it would use the Siri intelligent assistant in the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic LTZ and RS.

"Through the cars' standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel," GM said in a statement.

"To further minimise distraction, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with an eyes-free mode that enables users to interact with their iPhone using nothing more than their voice while keeping the device's screen from lighting up," it added.

According to the paper, drivers will be able to use the system to make hands-free calls, play songs in the iTunes library, or switch music sources from radio to iPod mode.

They may also listen to, compose and send messages to people in their contact list, the report added.